The National tribune., 1887-09-22
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at The Ma
liOnal Capital.

with the habits aud characteristics Of the ani-
mails of North America, the most OF which ne
has hunted in their native haunts He visited
Philadelphia TO attend the Centennial Celcbra-
tion, and went a day in advance in order TO
spend his time AZ the Geological Garden. de
passed the afternoon eXaming the animals and
convcrsing with the keepers about their habits.
After tour OF the garden he assured the head
keeper that lac would b. back again before re-
turning 10 the Capital for another visit TO has
charges The General experienced two pleas
ant surprises az the Zoo. IN the actuary OF the
garden he met an old schoolmate, Rlr. Charles
jefferson, aud the two gentlemen fell at once
10 talking over old times and Tec0Uuting incl
dents 0i their bOyhood days, When he came 10
the elephant house he found the great animals
in charge OF grizzled old Ned Pendergasi, a vet
Gran who was with Sheridan at Winchester on
that most dramatic day in the Generals life,
when he rode 20 miles and saved the Union
army from disaster on that historic field cele-
bmted in Thomas Buchanan Reeds famous
poem. The General shook hands with the Old
veteran cordially. and in honor Of their meet
ing pcndergast trotted out the great beasts in
his charge and gave them a bath. IL was an
interesting exhibition Of the habits of the
mammoth creatures, which Gen. Sheridan ell
joyed keenly.
THE NEW REAR ADMIRAL.
Bancroft Gherardi who has just been pro-
1notEu 10 1Ntttf-aANulitds AhiANu t'thN1o navy -
was born IN Louisiana, Nov. 10, 1892. lie was
il years Of age when he entered the United
States Navy from Massachusetts. The war with
Mexico was then I'm progress. Alter SIX years
at sea the young sailor entered the naval
academy. The esame year he was made Passed
Midshipman. lie was made Master IN lo55,
aud was commissioned Lieutenant thesame year.
When the civil war began Lieutenant Gherardi
was in service on the Lancaster, of the Pacific
squadron. Upon his return TO the Atlantic
coast, the same year. he was made q Lieutenant
Commander He took part in the lombard
ment of Fort Macon in 1862. He took part in
the battle Of Mobile Bay, Aug 8, 1854, under
Admiral Farragut. His conduct ON this occa-
sion was that of an emineutly brave and capa-
bic officer, and was highly commended. He
commanded the Pequot at a later period of the
war. Ghorardi attained the rank of Commander
in 1866 He received his commission as Cap
tain i'm 1874, and reached the dignity of Com
mOdore 10 years after, in 1854. Since the war
he has performed duties commensurate with
his various grades; the jamestown, Pensacola
and Lancaster being among the vessels be has
commanded. He has had charge of the Naval
Asylum at Philadelphia and of the Navy Yard,
Brooklyn He is q fine-looking, dignihed
officer.
THE RIGHTS OF EX-sOLDTERs IN OFFICE
ii is reported that Postmaster General Villas
is shortly to be made the defendant in a suit
brought by the Veterans Rights Association.
Ii is said that he has violated the law regard
ing the retention OF persons honorably dis
charged flon the military or naval service, and
the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers
and sailors by discharging Engineer Hender-
son, OF the postofice building. The association
claims that no charges were made against Hen
derson, aud ii is, therefore, a good time TO
make a test case. The Civil Service Commits
sioners do not think the veterans have good
case. They do not know the particulars in the
case at issue, but, MS Commissioner Oberly says,
" the Postmaster General has been extremely
guarded in making discharges Of ex-s0ldiers," /"
and, therefore, it is not thought that Mr. Hen
dersOn WAS dismissed without ample cause. The
law distinctly states that the persons specified
shall be retained, q all things being equal"
The Commissioners think thai il will he found
that ali things were not equal in Mr.. Herder-
sons case The Commissioners do not know
what can he done with the Postmaster General,
though there was no particular reason for dis
charging Henderson other than necessity to
reduce the force. Any appointing officer might
be eni0ined from removing an ex-s0ldier but
after the fact is accomplished there is no means
OF restoring him.
ABOUT THE CROPS.
The statistical report Of the Department of
Agriculture for September presents heavy
reduction IN condition Of cotton, corn and pota-
toes, with little change in the status of wheat
aud other small grains. The cotton crop has
been reduced over 10 points. from 1873 TO s2 8,
the effect Of excessive rains on the Atlantic
coast ana drought in the Gulf States. Serious
shedding OF rolls has resulted from both causes
The boil worm and caterpillars have a wide
distribution, deing some damage already and
threatening still heavier loss.
There Is q further loss in condition of corn
from s05 20 72.3 per cent, four points lower
Ilnn iaef wears ia pbar l,a
orable cTop failure Of lssl was indicated by 6C
In September and GO in October some improve
ment having resulted from more favorable con.
ditions The depreciation is nearly all in The
West The Siatcso. the Atlantic coast and those
of the Gull report larger crops than those of last
year already beyond the reach OF disaster In
tic seven cOrn-surplus States the average of last
month was a, now "a. The figures are: Ohio
Sc; Indiana, 81; Illinois. 81; Iowa, 7s; Mis-
sour, o. Kansas, 42 Nebraska. ~ The aver
age OF NV York and Pennsy lvania is SO. O
Georgia 81, OF Texas rs, of Tennessee 30 and o
koutucly60.
The average condition Of Winter and Sprin.
wheat wien harvested is 50 last year s7.s; il
les5, -. la the Spring wheat region Dakot;
returns %, small gain; Minnesota and Wis
consin p Iowa II and Nebraska 70. Sigh
reduction from last month. The increase o
acreage v'lil make the difference still less be
tween The present crop aud that of 1856.
NOW THEY CAN MARRY
Considerable discussion is going on in tn
Departments over two interesting rumOrs On
is that Civil Service Examiner is authOritl
for the statement that the wives of clerks ar
eligible for examination before the Comm iss on
ccrtiication and appointment provided n
member Oi her immediate family, except th
husband is IN Office. There is believed 90 b
BOme ruling on this point in the forthcomin
revised rules and regulations of the Commits
sion.
The other rumor is TO the effect that franl
young Treasury clerk went 10 Secretary Faii
child iew days ago aud sad
Mr. Secretary. Pm engaged 10 young gen
tleman in ono Of the other Departments. but W
can't many and live on his salary, if have {
resign IN order 10 marry"
Bless yon, my child,n said the Secretar,
get married IL you want 10 and pool vour sal
aries. There is no law or ruling under IN
Administration 10 force you 10 resign when yo
marry"
IL this be true several scores Of gentle heart
will iiuitor and several scores of male clerl
will have 10 excuse for longer delay.
OLD SOLDIERS SICK IN WASHINGTON.
From tie annual report of Dr. c. b Purvi
Sureeon-in-Chief Of the Freedmans Hospita
d appears that 2,2d patients we're admit.e
and cared ior during the year. an increase Of II
over last year. OF the whole number treate
199 were co0red males, sl6 colorcd females 81
white males aud 1872 white females. Abot
ls5 eN-soidlers have been admitted aud treate
during the year. These persons come from a
parts OF The country 10 look after claims, man